Last year was the first time Rask faced the same amount of shots as Raycroft did in `06-07. If you really look at it, Rask was brought along at a pace that Toronto would never have afforded. He's just broke the 4000 minutes played mark. In Toronto, he would of been throw to the wolves, and failed. Maybe not Raycroft failed, but don't think he'd be much higher then Bernier is right now.

Sure, but no one is talking about the 06/07 season. I'm talking about the 09/10 season - and, that season, Rask started a little more than half the games the Bruins played and put up excellent numbers, while facing shots at an almost identical rate to what the Leafs allowed that season. Granted, score effects and such play a part in those numbers, but the Leafs were not a defensive mess that season. It was more that, between Toskala and Gustavsson, they received terrible goaltending. Rask would have been a significant improvement there - enough to keep the Leafs from ending up with the 2nd overall pick.

Rask was never going to be brought up to the Leafs for 06/07 any way. If they didn't trade for Raycroft (and, subsequently, Toskala), they almost certainly would have signed one of the many UFA goalies available that summer.

Not so sure. I don't think the Leafs were a goalie away from being an upper tier team. I remember other issues with the team at that time...although I do remember there was a large focus on goaltending.

I do agree that goaltending was a problem though.

Personally I was extremely disappointed the Leafs didn't start a full rebuild at that time, WAY more so than a goalie change. They had some assets that were rated pretty highly at that time and the prospect cupboard was pretty bare.

For the Leafs it was never about a long term solution but rather short term gap fills for the present not for the future including player development or the willingness to keep draft picks/prospects. Not having a plan of success also kept high level talent from signing with the Leafs imho.

Guys just imagine for a second that we had seguin, Hamilton, rask, and Steen. It's so painful.

If the Leafs still had Rask, they almost certainly would not have ended up with Seguin or Hamilton. He's good enough to have pushed the Leafs up in the standings a couple spots. So, I mean, it's nice to dream and all, but, no Raycroft deal means no Toskala, and no Toskala means the Leafs are a better team in the first years of Kessel's contract.

Last year was the first time Rask faced the same amount of shots as Raycroft did in `06-07. If you really look at it, Rask was brought along at a pace that Toronto would never have afforded. He's just broke the 4000 minutes played mark. In Toronto, he would of been throw to the wolves, and failed. Maybe not Raycroft failed, but don't think he'd be much higher then Bernier is right now.

Raycroft was not a decent goalie from the start. Having bad defensemen and a poor defensive style made things worse. Winning 37 games with a SV % below .900 and GAA 3.00 showed how poor he was and it was in those games where he let in those horrible soft goals that cost the Leafs points and a playoff spot.

I really do not lay fault with Kessel, but more with the coaching style/team style. Watching Kessel or someone else skate down with the puck, get 1 shot on goal or lose the puck and have no pressure in the offensive zone. Other team gets the puck, gets into the Leafs zone, makes 2 line changes, has 6 shots on goal. If Babcock can instill a style that has Leaf players creating offense and pressure in the offensive zone, that would result in less time running around like chickens without heads in their own end.

Under Babcock I would like to see what Kessel can do when there is structure and a demand to play under an established style. But if another team is willing to offer a sweet package for Kessel, I would take it.

I like all the front moves the Leafs have been making and how there is a plan in place to make the Leafs successful on the ice. What I would really like to see now is improved drafting. All we hear about is how great the Leafs are stockpiling prospects when the simple reality is most of those prospects are third liners at best. I really want to see the Leafs draft the way the Wings drafted.

I wouldn't say Carlyle "bashes" those players. If he does, he doesn't do it to the media.

It was on the western road trip near the end of the season when Reimer came in for an injured Bernier and commented that he thought he played good (something to that effect). Carlyle replied something to the point that "that was his opinion". If I was Carlyle I would have replied in a positive manner such as "yeah he played great, gave us a chance to win and that is what we expect from our goalies". Then behind closed doors I would have discussed with Reimer his play and performance, but again with some respect and courtesy.

BTW that was when the collapse started and FWIW all I heard from Reimer in interviews are nothing but pleasantries and politeness.

Some Ottawa Senator fans are feeling really bad for me and other Leaf fans because of Carlyle's extension - It is the extra 2 years that bother them. Not only that, they think the Leafs organization is more embarrassing than the Islanders.